Engomi

Engomi is located about 3 kilometers southwest of the center of Nicosia in the homonymous province of Cyprus, next to the historic center of Strovolou and a stone’s throw from the border. In an area of ​​approximately 10 square kilometers, and with almost 18,000 permanent residents, Engomi is one of the most developed and lively modern districts of the capital of the island of Cyprus and has been an independent municipality since 1986.

The name of the settlement derives from the word “komi" (in ancient Greek it means “small town”), which finally became Engomi. Its foundation dates back to 1567 when the British destroyed many monasteries and churches from the old Lusignan walls of Nicosia, with the purpose of building Venetian-style walls and limiting the perimeter of the older ones. Those who lost their fortunes eventually moved to the southwest, and created the Engomi suburb, as it is nowadays. During the Ottoman domination, it was a small rural community, cultivating many different agricultural products and vegetables, which supplied the present capital of the island and a large urban center of Cyprus.

The name of the settlement derives from the word “komi” (in ancient Greek it means “small town”), which finally became Engomi. Its foundation dates back to 1567 when the British destroyed many monasteries and churches from the old Lusignan walls of Nicosia, with the purpose of building Venetian-style walls and limiting the perimeter of the older ones. Those who lost their fortunes eventually moved to the southwest, and created the Engomi suburb, as it is nowadays. During the Ottoman domination, it was a small rural community, cultivating many different agricultural products and vegetables, which supplied the present capital of the island and a large urban center of Cyprus.

In Engomi silkworms were cultivated in the past, and from the silk that was produced, the local women embroidered silk. In addition, during the Second World War several craft businesses were operating in the area, while with the population increasing, many of the permanent residents began working in Nicosia.

Having an appropriate and fertile ground for crops, offering shelter to refugees after the 1974 Turkish invasion, and having had significant industrial growth in the decades 1980-1990, Engomi has gained more and more inhabitants. The first and only at the time, civil airport of the island, on the other hand, was built on the grounds of the community shortly after the Second World War and also helped in the development of the area, since more products were being moved more easily. The ecclesiastical monuments that are under the administration of the community of Engomi, apart from remarkable cultural attractions, are also an integral part of the history of the settlement. On the one hand, the monastery of Agios Prokopios, the richest part of the Kykkos Monastery, on the grounds of which the British built their first camp in the past, and on the other hand, the Monastery of Panagia Makedonitissa with the military cemetery and Heroes monument (Macedonian mound) of the soldiers and of civilians killed during the Turkish invasion of 1974. In addition, there are three more churches in the area. The old church of Agios Nikolaos (built in 1898), the modern church of Agios Nikolaos (built in 1985) with the chapel of Agios Stylianos and the Parish Cultural Center and the holy temple of Agii Pantes (inside the monastery of Makedonitissa).

Housing one of the busiest avenues in the city of Nicosia, the October 28 avenue, in Engomi, the visitor can find plenty of choices in food, drink and entertainment. Also in the wider area are the Makareio sports center and stadium, the gymnasium Eleftheria – Tasos Papadopoulos, the indoor gymnasium Lefkotheo, the National Volleyball Center and the federal archery facilities. Some of the largest hotels in the capital of the island are located in the area, as well as several medical establishments, and many foreign embassies have their headquarters in Engomi. There is also the Environmental Service and the Road Transportation Department, there is an elderly club, a children’s club, a municipal choir and a municipal library. Finally, at the “Makedonitissa” site, the International (State) Exhibition of Cyprus has been taking place since 1976 and every May to June, while Engomi has several public and private institutions (primary, nursery schools, high schools, universities, the Nicosian and the European University, as well as the School for Deaf Children).